Patentable/Patents/US-9620003
US-9620003

System and methods for enhanced remote control functionality

PublishedApril 11, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A hand-held device having a touch sensitive surface uses a relative distance from an origin location to each of a plurality of touch zones of the touch sensitive surface activated by a user to select a one of the plurality of touch zones as being intended for activation by the user.

Patent Claims
6 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A system comprising: a display device displaying a 3-D object having a plurality of layered surfaces; and a controlling device adapted to transmit commands to control functional operations of the display device having an accelerometer wherein operational software of the controlling device responds to a signal generated by the accelerometer indicative of z-axis navigational movement of the controlling device made to initiate a transmission of a communication to the display device to cause a different surface of the 3-D object to be displayed by the display device.

Plain English Translation

A system lets you control a 3D object on a display using a remote control with an accelerometer. The display shows the 3D object with layered surfaces. When you move the remote in a z-axis direction (forward/backward), the accelerometer sends a signal to the remote's software. This software then tells the display to show a different layer or surface of the 3D object. Essentially, moving the remote forward or backward navigates through the layers of the 3D object on the display.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication comprises an individual step page command.

Plain English Translation

Building upon the 3D object control system, the communication sent from the remote to the display device is specifically an "individual step page command." This means that each z-axis movement of the remote control triggers a command to advance the display to the next specific page or layer of the 3D object, rather than a continuous scrolling action.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer additionally provides a signal for selectively enabling user interfaces of the controlling device.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D object control system, the accelerometer in the remote control not only controls navigation through the 3D object's layers but also selectively enables user interfaces on the remote itself. The accelerometer provides a signal that triggers and activates the remote's user interface elements, saving power and simplifying the remote's operation by only activating the controls when motion is detected.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the display device communicates with the control device to selectively enable and disable transmission of a communication to cause a different surface of the 3-D object to be displayed by the display devices.

Plain English Translation

Within the 3D object control system, the display device can communicate back to the remote control to selectively enable or disable the remote's ability to change the displayed surface of the 3D object. This two-way communication allows the display to manage the user's navigation, for instance, by disabling layer changes during a loading period or when a particular surface is locked. This prevents unintended surface changes.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the 3-D object comprises a program guide and the plurality of surfaces comprise pages of program guide data.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D object control system, the 3D object being displayed is a program guide, and the different surfaces are pages of program guide data. Therefore, moving the remote forward or backward allows the user to navigate through different pages of TV listings or other program information shown on the display.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein operational software of the controlling device differentiates between a signal generated by the accelerometer indicative of z-axis navigational movement of the controlling device made to initiate a transmission of a communication to the display device to cause a different surface of the 3-D object to be displayed by the display device and a signal generated by the accelerometer indicative of z-axis navigation movement of the controlling device made to initiate a transmission of a command to cause the 3-D object displayed within the display device to be moved within the display of the display device.

Plain English Translation

In the 3D object control system, the remote control software distinguishes between two types of z-axis movements detected by the accelerometer. One type of movement triggers a command to change the displayed surface of the 3D object (layer navigation). The other type of movement triggers a command to move the entire 3D object within the display itself (object manipulation). This allows the user to both navigate the object's layers and reposition the object on the screen using the same accelerometer.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

March 27, 2013

Publication Date

April 11, 2017

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